Over the summer, Academy senior Ari Horing and freshman Crystal Burns both participated in prestigious athletic events.

Horing attended the 17th Annual Maccabiah Games in Israel as a member of the United States national team and Burns participated in the Olympic Development Program’s (ODP) Regional Soccer Camp in Chicago, Illinois, representing Kansas.

The Maccabiah Games are an Olympic style sporting event that involve Jewish teens from around the globe.

This year, the games took place from July 10-21. Horing played for the US soccer team which finished fifth out of fourteen countries that sent a soccer team to the games.

Horing and the US team played many teams from countries including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Israel.

“I think I was a team player and wasn’t in it for the goals, but for the team’s win and the pride,” Said Horing. “It was amazing to see so many Jewish teens playing together on different fields, in a different, country.”

While Horing attending the Maccabiah games in Israel, Burns was in Chicago, also playing soccer on her summer athletic program.

The ODP selects only elite soccer players to represent each state in their Midwest regional soccer camp.

Burns attended this camp from August 6-11 as a part of the 18 member team chosen of 60 applicant athletes. Burns represented the Kansas team of girls born in the year 1990.

“Every morning we would play another different Midwestern state,” said Burns. “Overall it was really fun and I would definitely want to go again next summer.”

Over 270 girls from 12 different states played over the six-day period.

Both athletes enjoyed their summer athletic experiences and both plan to continue competing throughout highschool and college.

“I look forward to future soccer experiences with new teams and new coaches, during the summer and throughout the year,” said Horing.